US investigates secret hospitalization of Defense Secretary

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (Photo: New York Times).

"The purpose of the review is to examine the roles, processes, procedures, responsibilities and actions related to the Secretary of Defense's hospitalization in December 2023 - January 2024," AFP quoted an internal document as saying.

The inquiry will also assess whether “ DoD policies and procedures are adequate to ensure timely and appropriate notification and effective transition of authority when necessary due to health issues or senior leadership absences,” the document added.

Mr. Austin, 70, had minor surgery to treat cancer on December 22, 2023. After returning home the next day, he was hospitalized again due to complications on January 1.

The White House was not informed of Austin’s hospitalization until January 4, while Congress was only informed on January 6. Biden did not learn of Austin’s cancer diagnosis until this week.

The incident has created a headache for Mr Biden in an election year, creating an opportunity for Republicans to attack. There have been growing calls for the US defense secretary to resign or be fired, but Mr Biden has recently asserted his confidence in Mr Austin.

Following the incident, White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients ordered an urgent review of regulations on how to handle senior US officials when they become incapacitated, as did Chief of Staff Austin Kelly Magsamen.

Austin's secret hospitalization leaves the United States without a key national security official at a time when American troops are under constant attack in Iraq and Syria, and Yemen is attacking ships in the Red Sea.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/my-dieu-tra-vu-bo-truong-quoc-phong-bi-mat-nhap-vien-20240112090420108.htm